The key ingredients of an Inntravel holiday in the snow are traditional villages, magnificent scenery, first-rate skiing (whatever your level, and be it cross-country or downhill), a choice of other winter activities, and high-quality hotels of character with excellent restaurants.

Awe-inspiring scenery and unspoiled villages

However you’re planning to enjoy the snow, you need a good backdrop. Whether you choose the grandeur of the Alps or the wild drama of Scandinavia and Finland, you will be astonished by the beauty of the regions in our selection. The tranquillity of the villages will come as a pleasant surprise too. Some are tiny, secluded places where you can escape the everyday world; others are larger, with various shops and cafés, but all remain charmingly unspoiled, so different from the busy, hectic whirl of the modern ski resort.

Relaxed, carefree cross-country and downhill skiing

If cross-country skiing is your passion, you can explore some of Europe’s best – and most beautiful – domains, skiing for as long as you want along varied trails past pretty villages, frozen lakes and silent forests, while beginners can learn at their own pace in relaxed and unhurried surroundings which emphasise the many joys of cross-country skiing. If you prefer the thrill of downhill skiing, we feature some of the quietest and most unspoiled pistes in the Alps and Scandinavia where, with no lift queues or crowds to negotiate, you spend more time on the slopes, enjoying relaxed, exhilarating and carefree skiing.

Enjoy the snow your way or try something new

Our holidays are for individuals, not groups, meaning that you decide what to do at a time that suits you. Furthermore, we recognise that skiing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and that even the keenest of skiers like to try something different once in a while. That’s why we choose villages with plenty of other activities, which we list on the holiday pages. Anyone can enjoy the special feeling of being close to nature that winter walking and snowshoeing bring – no previous experience or special technique is required – and in the case of activities such as curling, ice-fishing or dog-sledding, you can join sessions organised by the local guide who will show you how it’s done before inviting you to try it for yourself. At some villages the range of activities is so wide (including ice-skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides and tobogganing) that you could spend each day differently if you so wished, and at these villages we offer winter activity weeks so you can do just that, with all the arrangements taken care of. By trying various activities you can gain different perspectives of your impressive surroundings.

Hand-picked hotels

Just as our selection of villages caters for all tastes, so too do our hand-picked hotels. Whatever you choose – a cosy hotel with a special intimacy or a stylish 4-star hotel with a spa and swimming pool – you can expect high standards of comfort, first-rate hospitality and delicious regional cuisine, be it a traditional Lapp dinner of reindeer, game birds and berries, or a communal fondue in Switzerland. We have worked with most hotels for many years and our strong relationship with the owners means you are looked after particularly well, which is why we choose not to use ‘reps’. Many of our chosen hotels have been in the family for generations, and your friendly hosts take pride in constantly striving to improve what are already the highest standards of hospitality, often treating visitors as honoured house-guests.

All the help and advice you need

We attach great importance to finding the place that is right for you. Our expert reservations staff have stayed in the hotels and sampled the skiing and other activities so are able to give you a much better feel for each place than you can gain from the holiday description alone. They will be happy to answer any question – the layout of the bedrooms, how often the ski bus runs, or where you can hire snowshoes from. Once you’ve decided where you would like to go, they will discuss your travel requirements with you to find the most convenient arrangements. Prior to departure, we’ll send you detailed documentation – compiled with the help of local guides, our hoteliers and other people who know these areas well – listing what activities and events are available at your destination or in the vicinity, and how to get to and from the best places to walk, ski or snowshoe.

Ski hire and tuition

As our customers enjoy the snow in so many different ways, we do not generally include ski hire or tuition in our holiday prices, unless specifically stated (and nor do we include cross-country trail passes in the standard holiday price, though many villages offer free access to the local domain). However, we have arranged a wide variety of pre-bookable ski packages in many of our villages, often including equipment hire, tuition and passes (where needed). Our most popular packs are detailed in the pricing section of each holiday page.

Beginners’ try-it-out weeks

Our Try-It-Out Weeks for complete beginners are a perfect introduction to cross-country skiing. You learn in the company of other like-minded guests experiencing the joys of skiing for the first time. The weeks run at the quietest times of the season, ensuring that the atmosphere is very relaxed and informal. Ski hire, lessons, and passes, where needed, are included and you have plenty of time to practise your skills – by the end of your week you may well find yourself completely hooked!

Practical information to help you plan your holiday

Holidays run from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday (unless otherwise stated). Sunday is usually the best day to arrive as Monday is then your first skiing day, when the trails are quieter. Over Christmas and New Year, arrival days and holiday durations may vary. We clearly indicate such variations in the price panel where relevant.

You can take skis on aircraft but most airlines require that these are pre-booked and levy a charge for carrying them – please let us know at the time of booking how many ski bags you intend to carry.

You can pre-book seats with selected charter airlines for a fee, 2-3 weeks before your holiday. This guarantees a couple, family or group can sit together (possibly separated by an aisle), though exact seat numbers will not be given until check-in. You can find details of how to do this in your ticket pack.

Non-skiing activities usually available in the village or nearby do not necessarily operate during every week of the season, and may be weather dependent or require a minimum number of participants to proceed. A charge is payable locally for most activities.

No special clothing is needed for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter walking – we recommend the following for all three activities:
• Lightweight waterproof jacket
• Several thin layers for your top half (those made of breathable, fast-wicking fabrics are ideal)
• Waterproof walking boots (swap these for cross-country shoes when skiing)
• Winter-weight walking trousers or tracksuit bottoms
• Knee-length socks
• Sunglasses
• Gloves
• Rucksack

Specialist clothing is necessary for downhill skiing, though you needn’t spend a large amount – look out for own-brand clothing in department stores. You’ll need:
• Salopettes
• Ski jacket
• Several thin layers for your top half (those made of breathable, fast-wicking fabrics are ideal)
• Knee-length socks
• Padded gloves
• Hat
• Sunglasses
We recommend the use of ski helmets for everyone when downhill skiing. For children, these are provided free in Finland and Norway.